Exercise Device Audio Cue System

ABSTRACT

An exercise device that dynamically provides audio cues based on an exerciser&#39;s current exercise route includes an accessing module that accesses one or more audio cues that notify the exerciser of one or more upcoming events, a location determining module that determines the current location and bearing of the exerciser, and an electronic processing module. The electronic processing module determines at least a portion of the exerciser&#39;s anticipated route based on the exerciser&#39;s current location and bearing and determines which one or more audio cues to play based on the exerciser&#39;s determined anticipated route. The exercise device further includes a playback module that plays the determined audio cues.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/621,676 filed Apr. 9, 2012.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to systems, methods, and devices for exercise. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an audio cue system that provides audio cues to alert exercisers of various events based on their current route.

BACKGROUND

Audio playback devices are often used by exercisers during their workouts. For example, MP3 players, smart phones and other devices allow users to play music while they are exercising. These audio playback devices allow users to create customized playlists to play certain desired songs during their workouts. Exercisers often include songs in these playlists to motivate themselves to exercise harder. Some audio playback devices (such as smart phones) also include global positioning system (GPS) features that can track a user's pace, speed, distance, time and other parameters. These GPS devices can track a user's route and provide the user detailed information about their workout including pace, elevation and other factors at each point along the route.

However, while audio devices allow music playback, and while GPS devices allow users to track various workout parameters, none of the devices provide audio cues in real time based on a current route or a predefined route. Various exercise devices have been developed that provide audio cues; however these audio cues are provided based on the occurrence of static events. For instance, U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2011/0307821 discloses an exercise device that provides audio cues as feedback during a workout. As certain predefined events occur, audio cues are played for the user. Similarly, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0100520 plays an audio cue to notify the exerciser of their earned exercise score. Other exercise devices that provide audio cues to an exerciser based on static, predefined events include U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,942, U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2009/0260506, U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2010/0056341, and U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2011/0143894.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one example embodiment of the disclosure, an exercise device dynamically provides audio cues or cues based on an exerciser's current exercise route. The exercise device includes an accessing module that accesses one or more audio cues that notify the exerciser of one or more upcoming events. The exercise device also includes a location determining module that determines the current location and bearing of the exerciser. Additionally, the exercise device includes an electronic processing module. The electronic processing module can determine at least a portion of the exerciser's anticipated route based on the exerciser's current location and bearing, and which one or more audio cues to play based on the exerciser's determined anticipated route. The exercise device also includes a playback module that plays the determined audio cues.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, an electronic processing module of the exercise device calculates an anticipated increase or decrease in exercise intensity for at least a portion of the determined anticipated route.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the anticipated increase or decrease is based on a geographical change in terrain.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, an audio cue is played at each substantial change in geographical terrain.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, one or more of the audio cues are played when the exerciser reaches a predefined distance from one or more of the geographical changes in terrain.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the audio cues comprise prerecorded instructions.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the prerecorded instructions are specific to different types of terrain changes.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the location determining module that determines the current location and bearing of the exerciser comprises a global positioning system (GPS) device.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the electronic processing module determines a plurality of anticipated routes and determines which one or more audio cues to play to provide advice to the exerciser on which anticipated route to take.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the advice provided by the audio cues is based on an indication from the user indicating a desired difficulty for the workout.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the advice provided by the audio cues provides indications of which route would include certain geographical features.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the advice provided by the audio cues provides indications of which route would be the most or least strenuous.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the advice provided by the audio cues indicates one or more actions the exerciser is to currently perform to prepare for an upcoming change in geographical terrain.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the advice provided by the audio cues is provided according to a race performance management scheme.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, the electronic processing module creates a workout for the exerciser based on the route the exerciser is currently running.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, an exercise device dynamically provides audio cues based on a predefined exercise route.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, an exercise device includes an accessing module that accesses one or more audio cues that notify the exerciser of one or more upcoming events.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, an exercise device includes a location determining module that determines the current location and bearing of the exerciser.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, an exercise device includes an electronic processing module that determines that the exerciser is exercising on a predetermined route.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, an exercise device includes an electronic processing module that determines which one or more audio cues to play based on the exerciser's predetermined route.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, an exercise device includes a playback module that plays the determined audio cues.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, an exercise device includes audio cues that are updated if the user departs from the predetermined route.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, an exercise device provides audio cues that provide an indication to the exerciser of which direction to go for a more or less strenuous route.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, an exercise device provides audio cues that provide an indication to the exerciser of when to hydrate, based on the determined anticipated route.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, a method for dynamically providing audio cues based on an exerciser's current exercise route is provided.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, a method for dynamically providing audio cues based on an exerciser's current exercise route includes determining a current location and bearing of the exerciser.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, a method for dynamically providing audio cues based on an exerciser's current exercise route includes determining at least a portion of the exerciser's anticipated route based on the exerciser's current location and bearing including one or more changes in geographical terrain.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, a method for dynamically providing audio cues based on an exerciser's current exercise route includes determining which one or more audio cues to play based on the exerciser's determined anticipated route at one or more of the determined changes in geographical terrain along the anticipated route.

In another aspect that may be combined with any of the aspects herein, a method for dynamically providing audio cues based on an exerciser's current exercise route includes playing back the determined audio cues when the exerciser has reached the one or more determined changes in geographical terrain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a user exercising using the exercise device according to one example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is schematic diagram of the exercise system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates various determined anticipated paths for an exerciser and corresponding audio cues for each path.

FIG. 4 illustrates a predetermined path for an exerciser and corresponding audio cues for the predetermined path.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a process for dynamically provides audio cues based on an exerciser's current exercise route.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to systems, methods, and devices for exercise. Depicted in FIG. 1 is a representation of one illustrative embodiment which may incorporate the novel features of the present invention, including various novel devices, functionalities, hardware and software modules, and the like. As shown, a runner 101 may be running with a global positioning system (GPS) enabled device 103. The GPS-enabled device 103 may include any type of portable device including a watch, a cell phone, an MP3 player or any other electronic device capable of detecting the current position of the user 101. The GPS-enabled device 103 may include speakers or earphone outputs. The user 101 may place the earphones 102 in his or her ears so as to hear music, telephone calls, radio stations or other information. The runner may be running down a path 104. The path may be substantially anywhere on earth and may be within or outside of GPS range.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the GPS-enabled device 103 may include various modules for performing specified tasks. The GPS-enabled device (or simply “exercise device” herein) may dynamically provide audio cues based on an exerciser's current exercise route. The exercise device may include an accessing module 115 that accesses one or more audio cues 106 that notify the exerciser of one or more upcoming events. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a user 101 may be running, walking, cycling or otherwise moving along a current path 104. The user 101 may be approaching an intersection that allows various different paths of travel. For instance, the user 101 may travel to the left on path 111A, to the right on path 111C or may continue straight ahead on path 111B. As the user is turning, or before the user turns, various audio cues 106 may be played to the user's earphones 102.

In one embodiment, if the GPS-enabled device 103 determines that the user is turning to the left on path 111A (or has the option to turn left), the GPS device may consult path data on path 111A to determine which type of terrain is down that path. Thus, for instance, the GPS device 103 may determine path 111A leads to a forest 110A that has rolling hills. The audio cue 106A may indicate such to the user. The audio cue may indicate that there are trail running routes in that direction, or that there are public paved or dirt trails, or that there are picturesque views in that direction. If the user continues down that path, new audio cues may be played indicating which direction to go to find the trails, picturesque spots or other desired locations. Accordingly, the audio cues may lead the user 101 to a desired trail or location. The audio cues 106 may also provide current (or forecasted) weather information for the determined path. Traffic information, population information or other types of information may be presented in audio cues to inform the user about the area. As will be understood, substantially any type of information may be communicated over an audio cue. The information may be pre-stored (in memory 105) or may be generated or downloaded on-the-fly.

The location determining module 107 of the GPS-enabled device 103 may alternatively determine that the user 101 has decided to continue straight (on path 111B) or is currently at an intersection or other decision point. As such, the electronic processing module 108 may determine that audio cue 106B is to be played. Audio cue 106B may provide indications of the upcoming terrain. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the upcoming terrain on path 111B is mountainous 110B. The audio cue 106B may indicate various types of information including information about the mountains including hill lengths, grades and whether good shoulders are available on the roads. The audio cue 106B may indicate that the route is more difficult than other routes (e.g. 111A or 111C) or that an increased heart rate may be achieved or an increased number of calories may be burned by choosing route 111B. As with audio cue 106A on route 111A, audio cue 106B may indicate weather information (current or forecasted) for the upcoming path. It may also include indications of trail runs, scenic paths, stores, restaurants or other notable locations. The audio cues may further provide directional information indicating how to get to those locations.

Still further, the location determining module 107 may determine that the user 101 has decided to turn down path 11C. The electronic processing module 108 may determine that audio cue 106C is to be played. The audio cue 106C may indicate to the user 101 that route 111C includes an urban area 110C with subdivisions, parks or similar landscape. The audio cue 106C may indicate that this is a less strenuous route, or is a more walkable route, or includes larger shoulders on the road, or includes paths through a park or any other type of relevant information. These audio cues may be played before, after or as the user is turning onto any given route. The location determining module 107 continually determines where the user 101 is and where the user is headed (i.e. it determines the user's bearing).

The electronic processing module 108 may also determine when other types of audio cues should be played. For example, if a user's heart rate is too high, an audio cue may be played to slow tempo, or to select a different route (e.g. with less hills) and may indicate how to get there. The GPS device 103 may determine that a user has been out in hot weather for a long time and may indicate that the user 101 should take a drink or consume calories. The device may also determine that a hill or section of hills is coming up and that the user should fuel up now in order to be prepared for the hilly section. The electronic processing module 108 may thus use location information, weather information, user information (heart rate, age, body type, fitness level) and other information to decide which audio cues to play and when to play them.

Accordingly, the GPS-enabled exercise device 103 includes a location determining module 107 that determines the current location and bearing of the exerciser. The exercise device 103 also includes an electronic processing module 108 that determines at least a portion of the exerciser's anticipated route based on the exerciser's current location and bearing. The electronic processing module 108 may determine a user's anticipated route based on multiple factors including the user's current bearing, the user's current and recently past location, previous workout information, common running paths or other information. The electronic processing module 108 may, at least in some embodiments, determine multiple anticipated routes and provide audio cues for each possible route. Alternatively, the electronic processing module 108 may determine the anticipated route most likely to be chosen by the user 101 and provide an audio cue 106 for that route. The electronic processing module 108 may continually determine anticipated routes while the user is running, walking or otherwise moving. Then, based on the determined anticipated route, the appropriate audio cue or cues are played by the playback module 109.

When determining anticipated routes, the electronic processing module 108 of the exercise device 103 may calculate an anticipated increase or decrease in exercise intensity for some of the determined routes. The anticipated increase or decrease may be based on a geographical change in terrain such as hills or changing from asphalt to dirt. An audio cue may be played at each substantial change in geographical terrain. This audio cue may alert the user 101 that a geographical change is going to occur and may provide a time frame within which the user will arrive at the geographical change. Audio cues 106 may also be played when the exerciser reaches a predefined distance from a geographical change in terrain. This distance may be predefined or may be customized by the user 101.

In some embodiments, audio cues 106 may be prerecorded instructions. These prerecorded instructions may be specific to different types of terrain changes. In other cases, the audio cues may be sound clips, ring tones, or other user-specified audio segments that indicate an instruction or otherwise provide information to the user. In some cases, a user may indicate a desired level of difficulty for his or her workout. The exercise device 103 may provide advice accordingly using the audio cues. The cues may lead the user along a more difficult route that includes, for example, an increased number of hills. Similarly, the user may indicate (during or before his or her workout) that he or she wants a relatively easy route. The location determining module may then determine the user's location and bearing and direct the user to easier terrain. If the user indicated they wanted a running route that had certain geographical features, the audio cues may be played at appropriate times to direct the user in the appropriate direction.

Audio cues may also indicate which route would be the most or least strenuous. The advice provided by the audio cues 106 may indicate various actions the exerciser is to currently perform to prepare for an upcoming change in geographical terrain. For example, the user may be instructed to drink water, consume food, slow their current pace or perform some other action. This advice may be provided to the user according to a race performance management scheme. Such a race performance management scheme may indicate certain heart rate thresholds, a certain pace per minute or other performance metrics. Race performance management schemes may be stored in memory 105 of the exercise device 103, and may be taken into account by the electronic processing module 108 when determining an anticipated route and when determining which audio cues to play and when they are to be played. As such, the electronic processing module 108 creates a workout for the exerciser 101 based on the route the exerciser is currently running.

Turning now to FIG. 4, an embodiment is illustrated in which a user follows a predetermined route (route 111D). The predetermined route may be a user's favorite route, or one of many stored routes (stored in memory 105). The electronic processing module 108 may communicate with the location determining module 107 to determine where the user is currently located along the predetermined route, and which audio cues to play. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4, the user may follow route 111D and the electronic processing module 108 will determine that audio cue 106A is to be played at a determined time. The audio cues may be played at any time during the user's workout and may be played before potential route changes (e.g. intersections), before or after certain geographical changes (e.g. hills), before or after certain workout milestones (e.g. five-mile mark) or at any other predetermined or user-defined time. The exercise device 103 may update the audio cues if the user departs from the predetermined route 111D. The audio cues may also provide an indication to the exerciser of when to hydrate, eat, slow down, speed up or otherwise monitor their run based on the determined anticipated route

Attention is now directed to FIG. 5, which illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 150 that may be implemented to dynamically provide audio cues based on an exerciser's current exercise route. The method includes a step of initiating the exercise device 152. The exercise device dynamically provides audio cues 106 based on an exerciser's current exercise route (e.g. 111C) by determining a current location and bearing of the exerciser (step 154). The audio cues may provide hints to the user 101 indicating what the user should do at certain points along his or her exercise route. The audio cues 106 may be played at any time along the user's route and may be played at or near various changes in geographical terrain.

In step 158, the electronic processing module 108 determines which audio cues 106 to play based on the exerciser's determined anticipated route (as determined in step 156). The user may be notified at an intersection, for example, which route would result in the most strenuous workout. The user may also be notified when to fuel up or when to increase or decrease pace to prepare for upcoming terrain. Once the appropriate audio cue is determined, the playback module 109 of the exercise device 103 plays back the determined audio cues (in step 160) when the exerciser has reached the one or more determined changes in geographical terrain.

Accordingly, GPS-enabled exercise device 103 may determine the user's current location, determine the user's anticipated route, and play audio cues at appropriate times to notify the user of upcoming events, terrain changes, or provide other information useful to the user 101.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In general, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to exercise systems, devices, and methods that provide audio cues based on an exerciser's current exercise route. The systems, devices, and methods of the present disclosure allow an exerciser to receive hints, directions, notifications or other audio cues that assist the exerciser in choosing an optimal exercise route.

When exercising on a trail or on an open road, a user has many different options of where to go. The user may be exercising in any of a variety of different manners including walking, running, cycling, or otherwise moving down a path. The user may come to an intersection or may be initially leaving on a run or may be approaching a long hill or may come to some other point along an exercise path where having information may be helpful. The systems and devices disclosed herein may provide the user with an indication of where to go for a more strenuous workout, or for a less strenuous workout, or for hills, or forest terrain for trail runs, or well-lit paths for late evening or early morning runs. The audio cues may provide substantially any type of information to the user during his or her workout.

The audio cues may be provided dynamically while the user is exercising. The user's exercise device may be a GPS-enabled device or some other device that can determine the user's current global location. The GPS-enabled device may continually track the user's movements along a path and notify the user of his or her current speed, pace-per-minute, elevation and other data. Based on the user's current position, recently run routes, or other information, the GPS-enabled device may determine an anticipated route for the user. The GPS device may thus determine that the user intends to head straight or turn right or left, follow a current road or path, or head in the direction of a known landmark or geographical feature. Based on this anticipated route, the GPS device may determine which audio cues should be played to the user.

These audio cues may be played over a speaker, earphones or other means. The audio cues may indicate to the user that a long hill is coming up and that the user should slow his or her pace, or should drink extra water or fuel up before the hill. The audio cues may also notify the user of forecasted weather, traffic conditions, radio announcements or may provide other information that is context-specific to the determined anticipated route. Accordingly, if a user has chosen a certain route, the audio cues may be tailored to events occurring along that path. These audio cues may also be used to direct the user to a given route, or to a given landmark or store or to keep the user on a course mapped out by the user at home. Accordingly, appropriately-timed and -placed audio cues may be played on a user's GPS-enabled device.

While embodiments of the invention have been described in the context of a GPS watch, smart phone or MP3 player, it is understood that the invention is not limited to any particular type of exercise device. Accordingly, the term “exercise device” shall refer broadly to any type of device that can track a user's location and bearing. Moreover, while embodiments of the invention have been described in the context of a runner running down a road, it is understood that the invention is not limited to any particular type of exercise, and that an exercise device as described herein may be used during substantially any type of exercise. Still further, the audio cues may be played back to the user at substantially any time before, during or after the user has exercised. The audio cues may be used to notify the user of substantially any type of information, including information relevant to the user's anticipated route. The audio cues may thus provide an indication of positive steps the user may take to improve the quality of their workout. 

We claim:
 1. An exercise device that dynamically provides audio cues based on an exerciser's current exercise route, the exercise device comprising: an accessing module that accesses one or more audio cues that notify the exerciser of one or more upcoming events; a location determining module that determines the current location and bearing of the exerciser; an electronic processing module that performs the following: determines at least a portion of the exerciser's anticipated route based on the exerciser's current location and bearing; and determines which one or more audio cues to play based on the exerciser's determined anticipated route; and a playback module that plays the determined audio cues.
 2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the electronic processing module calculates an anticipated increase or decrease in exercise intensity for at least a portion of the determined anticipated route.
 3. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein the anticipated increase or decrease is based on a geographical change in terrain.
 4. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein an audio cue is played at each substantial change in geographical terrain.
 5. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein one or more of the audio cues are played when the exerciser reaches a predefined distance from one or more of the geographical changes in terrain.
 6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the audio cues comprise prerecorded instructions.
 7. The exercise device of claim 6, wherein the prerecorded instructions are specific to different types of terrain changes.
 8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the location determining module that determines the current location and bearing of the exerciser comprises a global positioning system (GPS) device.
 9. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the electronic processing module determines a plurality of anticipated routes and determines which one or more audio cues to play to provide advice to the exerciser on which anticipated route to take.
 10. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein the advice is based on an indication from the user indicating a desired difficulty for the workout.
 11. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein the advice provides indications of which route would include certain geographical features.
 12. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein the advice provides indications of which route would be the most or least strenuous.
 13. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein the advice indicates one or more actions the exerciser is to currently perform to prepare for an upcoming change in geographical terrain.
 14. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein the advice is provided according to a race performance management scheme.
 15. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the electronic processing module creates a workout for the exerciser based on the route the exerciser is currently running.
 16. An exercise device that dynamically provides audio cues based on a predefined exercise route, the exercise device comprising: an accessing module that accesses one or more audio cues that notify the exerciser of one or more upcoming events; a location determining module that determines the current location and bearing of the exerciser; an electronic processing module that performs the following: determines that the exerciser is exercising on a predetermined route; and determines which one or more audio cues to play based on the exerciser's predetermined route; and a playback module that plays the determined audio cues.
 17. The exercise device of claim 16, wherein audio cues are updated if the user departs from the predetermined route.
 18. The exercise device of claim 16, wherein the audio cues provide an indication to the exerciser of which direction to go for a more or less strenuous route.
 19. The exercise device of claim 16, wherein the audio cues provide an indication to the exerciser of when to hydrate, based on the determined anticipated route.
 20. A method for dynamically providing audio cues based on an exerciser's current exercise route, the method comprising: determining a current location and bearing of the exerciser; determining at least a portion of the exerciser's anticipated route based on the exerciser's current location and bearing including one or more changes in geographical terrain; determining which one or more audio cues to play based on the exerciser's determined anticipated route at one or more of the determined changes in geographical terrain along the anticipated route; and playing back the determined audio cues when the exerciser has reached the one or more determined changes in geographical terrain. 